Taking Care of Leeches

With temperatures rising - you're probably spending a lot more time out on the lake. Summer holidays are upon us. High temperatures, cool water, perhaps a frosty beverage...all making for a great fishing combo! One of the worst things that could happen to ruin this combination of fishing fun would be your bait underperforming - or worse, not even make it to the lake. Here are some tips for optimal leech health:




1. Change the water every day. Use well water, distilled water, or lake water.

2. Cool the water to the same temperature as the leeches. Avoid shocking them.

3. Don't play with or handle your leeches. I know its fun. But try to avoid handling them too much!

4. Keep them refrigerated when you're not at the lake. Seems obvious...but let's cover our bases.

5. If you get them from Jewell Outdoors, take the plastic bag they come in out of the cooler, and place it in your refrigerator for a couple hours. This will help them to gradually cool. When they have cooled down, place them in their new container in fresh water at refrigerator temps.

6. When you get to the lake, be sure to keep them in a cooler and out of the sunlight and heat.



Do you have any pictures of fish caught with leeches this summer? If so, email them to mark@jewelloutdoors.com. We'll post them our fish tales page of the www.jewelloutdoors.com website.

A satisfied customer

This recently submitted by a happy Jewell Outdoors customer:



"I ordered 2 pounds of jumbo leeches from Jewell Outdoors, and can strongly recommend them.
Family problems caused me to change my plans many times after I ordered the leeches, causing me to change the day I needed the leeches delivered. Mark was always there reassuring me the leeches would be here when I required them, and they were!! The quality of the leeches is great
Mark has learned, and understands customer service. He always responded to communications promptly and courtesly. He gave me the confidence I needed to order from them the first time. This will not be the last time I order from them. The service and the product cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Jewell Outdoors—they really are a class act!"




Thanks Kim. You're a class act Yourself!

How to Trap Leeches

Muskie eating a duck

I thought this was pretty cool. I've seen this in person up on Long Lake, but have never seen a video by someone who actually caught it on film.

Memorial Day

Memorial day is on our doorstep believe it or not!  Next week, we'll be shipping bait that will be used throughout Memorial Day weekend!  This is a great weekend to honor those that have served our country, and remember everything that has been given up in the quest for a free democracy.  A free country.  

As you enjoy a three day weekend, remember to take some time to remember the families and soldiers that have sacrificed for us.

Additionally, enjoy your time off - and relax!  This is a great time to enjoy a little adventure on the lakes and streams with your family and friends.  We're continuing our grand opening specials with $1 off every pound of leeches you buy, and dirt cheap canadian crawlers at $39 per flat.  Have fun and Happy Fishing!

Great Progress - Thank You!

Wow!  I can't believe how well things have taken off so far.  Thank you for all the support that the fishing community of the Midwest has given us.  The amount of web traffic has been striking!  Here are a few recommendations we have for engaging with Jewell Outdoors.

1. If you think we should offer additional products or services, visit our Contact page and fill out a request.

2. Introduce yourself in our forum

3. Tell a friend.  You can do this by email or word of mouth now - and we'll be adding share functionality for facebook soon.

Thanks again!  Happy Fishing!

Fishing Story PodCast

This week I had a chance to speak with Hunter and his Dad Doug about some great walleye fishing experiences in Central Minnesota. You won't believe how effective a snoopy pole and a leech will be!

Fish Tales from Jewell Outdoors

Download this episode (right click and save)

Fishing for Catfish/DogFish

Today, the family - including the dogs went for a walk down by the Des Moines river.  I brought along my fishing pole to get a few casts in - perhaps rope in a catfish or two.  Lexi, one of my ever faithful black labs was enjoying the cool water - perhaps a bit too much...

As I baited my hook and prepared to cast, she followed every God given instinct and chased that cast right out into the river!  Since she is a die hard retriever, she will NOT quit looking until she brings back whatever it is she was supposed to get.  By the time I had my line reeled in, she was a good 30 yards away from the bank.  Calling her did no good - unless she had something to show for her efforts.  So, I had to quickly find a stick and toss it into the water.  Thankfully she bought the trick.  However, any attempts to cast for the day were ruined - she thought it was tons of fun!  

Looks like I have some more training to do.

Trapping leeches with Dirty Jobs - Mike Row

Man do I miss getting out on the leech pond every day! These guys do it somewhat similar to how Jewell Leeches are caught, although our traps are a little different. It seems that Beef Kidneys work better in far Northern, MN - and Beef Liver in Central, MN. Jump on over to the store when you're done watching the video and fill out the live bait order from to get your leeches (or night crawlers) for you next fishing experience!

How do you trap leeches?

This is pretty similar to how we do it. When I get a chance, I'll record some video of us out trapping leeches this summer.

Leeches Anyone? Deep fried?

Leeches for Sale

Leeches for Sale! Everything on the website is now fully functional! You can get your leeches and crawlers shipped directly to your house or place of work. Just order live leeches directly from Jewell Outdoors - save money, and time! Happy Fishing!

Ice is Out!

Got a report from up in North Central Minnesota that the ice went out on a lot of leech ponds last night. That means you can bet Leech Trappers all over are chomping at the bit to get their traps in the water. Talked with my Dad just a bit ago - it sounds like he got his traps baited this morning, and managed to find time for golfing. Warm weather is upon us friends! Its coming as we speak!

The first catch!

The first catch of the year is in!  Just got off the phone with my Dad (AKA Head Leech) - who runs the buying, trapping, and shipping side of wholesale leeches.  Apparently he had some traps in the water - and came up with a whopping 1.5 pounds in the first run!  Certainly not enough to start shipping, but the good news is that they are starting to trap.

As the waters warm up the leeches will get more lively. At this time of the year, they are found in a little bit deeper water.  This is because the nights are still pretty cold, and water temps get pretty cold around the edges of shallow ponds.  Part of the art of leech trapping is gaging where the leeches are spending their time - it takes a well trained trapper to figure it out best.  

Leeches coming soon!

Leech Trapping is soon on its way.  With warmer weather expected in the forecast, we expect ice will be receding over the next couple weeks.  A colder than expected March is leaving us with ice on the ponds a bit later this year.  This will likely affect the overall leech supply, and size of it.  However, we do expect a really large turn out for the Walleye opener this year!

As soon as the ice is out - you can guarantee that hungry leech trappers everywhere will be dropping traps in the water.  You should start seeing leeches in bait shops - and of course here on Jewell Outdoors soon after.  Remember to register at Jewell Outdoors for a free leech give-a-way.  Sign up for the mailing list while you're there too.

Have fun fishing!